Stacy Risenmay

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Outdoor Movie Theater Seats

By Stacy 87 Comments

Now that it is warming up, I am dreaming of having outdoor movies again. I’m resharing this past project with you today because these outdoor movie theater seats are one of my favorites! As kids we used to run an extension cord outside and take a small TV/VCR combo outside to watch movies in the backyard. I thought now that I am an adult and have a house of my own, that I could do a little better than that. So we got a projector screen to go with the projector we got a few years ago. All I needed now was some seating. These DIY Outdoor Movie Theater Seats are easy to make and comfortable to sit on!

 

diy backyard theater seats

 

Since I was making four ( and I love them so much I might make even more!) I wanted them to be as simple as possible but still provide comfy seating.

 

backyard theater

 

Outdoor Movie Theater Seats Tutorial

Like I said before, I wanted these to be as simple as possible in case I ended up making a ton of them.

1. I cut plywood that I had on hand into 24 inch by 18 inch pieces. The cushions were about 17 inches wide so that is why I made them a tiny bit bigger.  For every seat you want, cut two boards.

2. Then I primed them with a tinted primer I had on hand. White primer would be fine as well. I primed them because plywood is SO porous and soaks up a lot of paint. I didn’t want to go through a million cans of spray paint.

3. I used hinges to attach the two boards together. I used two hinges per seat. Thicker plywood is best for this project for the fact that the screws will go all the way through the board if it is too thin.

4. I had some 1×2 that I cut to fit on the inside of the boards. I cut two pieces per seat. I screwed them onto the inside of the bottom. I then screwed a 5 inch screw all the way through the 1×2 piece. These get pushed into the ground to make sure the seat doesn’t move when you lean back on it. There were four (one on each bottom corner) per seat. Then I painted the 1×2 piece as well.

 

how to make outdoor theater seats

 

We went super casual and added a crate as our “side table” and mason jars for the drinks.

 

popcorn

 

Outdoor movies aren’t just for kids! Why not have a girls night?

 

movie night backyard_edited-1

 

Because of the hinge, you can adjust these outdoor movie theater seats to any height you want. You can sit up or make it open more so you are laying down more.

 

backyard movie seats

 

Does your family ever have outdoor movies? Have you ever thought to do it as a couple’s night? Or a girl’s night? I would love to hear your stories!

 

 

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Filed Under: Favorites, Kids Activities, Outdoor Projects & Gardening, Painting, Power Tools 87 Comments

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  1. Suesan says

    July 14, 2014 at 11:03 am

    Darling and so simple. What did you use for your projector?

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      July 14, 2014 at 11:37 am

      I did a review of a 3M projector a couple years ago and we love it. It is small and connects to Apple products. It was available exclusivly at Target. I am not sure if that is still the case.

      Reply
  2. Ann says

    July 14, 2014 at 11:32 am

    I love this idea!!!!

    Reply
  3. Ashley @ Simply Designing says

    July 14, 2014 at 12:35 pm

    These are SO MUCH FUN!!!! I love them!

    Reply
  4. Ashley @ Cherished Bliss says

    July 14, 2014 at 1:08 pm

    These are seriously adorable!! and such a fun way to have a backyard movie night!!

    Reply
  5. Debbie says

    July 14, 2014 at 1:09 pm

    What a great idea!!! My family and I watch movies outside using a projector and a shower curtain hung on the fence. I never thought of using a screen. Hmmm…. We usually sit in chaise lounge chairs or float in the pool.

    Reply
  6. Jennifer Priest says

    July 14, 2014 at 1:22 pm

    Oh my gosh LOVE LOVE LOVE these!! These would be great at the beach too :)

    Reply
  7. Kelley @Miss Information Blog says

    July 14, 2014 at 1:22 pm

    I love that these will be easy to store when I don’t use them! How fun and I have been wanting to do this, thanks for the kick to do it!

    Reply
  8. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says

    July 14, 2014 at 3:18 pm

    Oh my word, how fun is this. I love it.

    Reply
  9. Rachel @ Lines Across says

    July 14, 2014 at 5:00 pm

    What a great idea (and such cute chairs)! We’ve never done outdoor movies, but my kids would LOVE them! So many possibilities.

    Reply
  10. Barbara says

    July 14, 2014 at 7:06 pm

    OMG I love this!! I never thought of outdoor movies for adults!!! What a great idea, and I adore the chairs Stacy! Headed to Insta to enter your giveaway! Thanks!

    Reply
  11. Emily says

    July 14, 2014 at 9:14 pm

    those are perfect!!! We do outdoor theater showings every summer… this is the perfect idea for adults who don’t want to lay down like the kids. Pinned!!

    Reply
  12. TidyMom says

    July 15, 2014 at 5:23 am

    fabulous idea Stacy! I love it!

    Reply
  13. Virginia Fynes says

    July 15, 2014 at 5:54 am

    These are so much fun! Love em!

    Reply
  14. Cynthia Banessa says

    July 15, 2014 at 8:27 am

    Love, love, love this! We have movie night outdoors and this DIY IS JUST PERFECT, easy store a-way too. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  15. Marty Walden says

    July 15, 2014 at 8:32 am

    This is such a great idea! Makes me wish my kids were younger…..not. Now that I have a grandbaby on the way I’ll start plotting for the future!

    Reply
  16. amy @ one artsy mama says

    July 15, 2014 at 8:59 am

    LOVE these! Amazing idea! They look super comfy!

    Reply
  17. Melissa@TheHappierHomemaker says

    July 15, 2014 at 9:01 am

    SUCH a great idea, I love it! We love doing outdoor movies and this is fantastic for that!

    Reply
  18. Emily @ Two Purple Couches says

    July 15, 2014 at 9:12 am

    These are so, so cool! Great idea!!

    Reply
  19. Randi Sowders says

    July 15, 2014 at 9:26 am

    Oh this is soooo fun! I have been looking everywhere to get a good deal on a projector because I want to set up an outdoor movie theater for us too for this summer. So far, no dice…But when I do find one, I am making these chairs too! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  20. Rachel @ Architecture of a Mom says

    July 15, 2014 at 10:13 am

    How fun! Love how these turned out.

    Reply
  21. Kari says

    July 15, 2014 at 11:09 am

    I love this idea! Too bad we have so many mosquitoes outdoors! My favorite summer memory is going to sleepaway summer camp! I wish I could still go, but at least now my son attends!

    Reply
  22. Lindsay @Artsy-Fartsy Mama says

    July 15, 2014 at 12:53 pm

    This is such a great idea!! Love the color, too!

    Reply
  23. Mary Beth @ Cupcakes and Crinoline says

    July 15, 2014 at 12:54 pm

    Another great idea, Stacy! I love every detail.

    Reply
  24. Amy Anderson says

    July 15, 2014 at 4:21 pm

    Cute setup! We don’t do outdoor movies b/c it’s too hot now – but it’s a great idea for fall!

    Reply
  25. Gina says

    July 17, 2014 at 2:32 am

    What an amazing idea, Love it!!!!

    Reply
  26. crystal d says

    July 19, 2014 at 3:41 pm

    So cute!

    Reply
  27. Kris Ann Bennett says

    July 20, 2014 at 9:34 pm

    I love these! I’m going to have to make some for my daughter and son-in-law, the go to a minor league ball park and sit on the lawn all the time! Great idea!!

    Reply
  28. Juan Zetino says

    July 23, 2014 at 8:15 pm

    I am making this..a;ready have a projector and screen…ditching my benches.

    Reply
  29. Nicole D. says

    April 13, 2015 at 1:00 pm

    Great idea! I will pass this onto my friend in CA who is wanting to set up a backyard theater.

    Reply
  30. Maria Lanteigne says

    April 17, 2015 at 4:43 pm

    We also do backyard movies. I found a very inexpensive little projector for $100.00 on ebay. I have an old pull down screen from a school yard sale. We put put our plastic Adirondack chairs, make a fire in the fire pit and use coolers to put our feet up. My family loves doing this. We call it our walk-in (instead of drive-in). I love your idea for seats and I may try to make a couple this summer.

    Reply
  31. Kristina says

    April 30, 2015 at 10:50 pm

    STACY! These are ADORABLE! I love them so much!

    Reply
  32. Ester says

    June 15, 2015 at 1:15 pm

    Love your ideas!!! One question-Where did you order your bench cushions?
    Thanks
    Ester

    Reply
  33. Libby says

    June 29, 2015 at 7:04 pm

    I, too, love this idea and would LOVE to know where you found your bench cushions. :)
    Thank you SO much!
    Libby

    Reply
  34. Deborah says

    June 5, 2018 at 3:36 pm

    These are so cute. You were my favorite pic for Waste Not Wednesday linky party!

    Reply
  35. leanna says

    June 5, 2018 at 6:52 pm

    Loving the idea of having a chick flick night with these great outdoor seats.
    They would also be really handy for any outdoor park venue, and much prettier than a horrible web chair.

    Great post and project.

    Reply
  36. Sam -Raggedy Bits says

    June 7, 2018 at 5:36 pm

    What a fabulous idea!! What a fun way to spend a family night!! Bet you and your family enjoy movie night now!

    Thank you so much for sharing your fun project with us over at Waste Not Wednesday!

    Reply
  37. Emily says

    June 16, 2018 at 12:38 pm

    These are so cool! I love this idea for movie watching all summer long :) Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday! I’ll be featuring your DIY outdoor seating this week. We’d love to have you link up again!

    Reply
  38. Rainy says

    March 15, 2019 at 8:56 am

    Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful idea. I can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
  39. Nancy says

    June 15, 2019 at 10:24 am

    Tried to sign up for your blog but no submit to click on.

    Reply
  40. Khrystuna says

    March 9, 2020 at 4:45 pm

    I want to buy a house with a backyard only to have a similar movie theater. MMMM…

    Reply
  41. Haley Steele Hiking says

    April 11, 2020 at 8:02 am

    This was a great read! On to making my seats now :)

    Reply
  42. Lisa W says

    May 19, 2020 at 6:56 pm

    You are brilliant and awesome 👏🏻 😎!! I used your idea for the movie seats with a couple of upgrades. I added 2 eyelet hooks at the top on each side and two at the bottom to tie on the lounge cushions I bought and then added a carry handle on the reverse side of the cushion. #SUPERCUTE #MOVIENIGHT

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      May 22, 2020 at 3:39 pm

      Genius! I love those ideas :) I need to add eyelets to mine now :)

      Reply
  43. Christina says

    May 20, 2020 at 11:02 pm

    Such an excellent idea. I love it!

    Reply
  44. Christy says

    May 25, 2020 at 9:18 am

    Since it is difficult for my dad to go very far and/or gets anxious when out and about, the Backyard Movie is a perfect solution for my family.

    Reply
  45. james says

    June 15, 2020 at 1:08 pm

    Hey, This is the amazing guide to create a theater seat. Thank you for sharing this idea.

    Reply
  46. Lilly says

    June 24, 2020 at 1:24 pm

    Great tutorial. Thanks!

    Reply
  47. Jane says

    August 10, 2020 at 7:13 pm

    This is a great idea/alternative now that COVID-19 is around.

    Reply
  48. Mark says

    August 25, 2020 at 4:38 pm

    What a great Idea, Stacy! Personally, a dvd player would be plenty for me. But this is perfect during this summers quarantine, thank you!!!

    Reply
  49. Emily says

    January 21, 2021 at 11:07 am

    What a great idea to watch movies outside in a quiet and comfortable environment. I am definitely going to apply it in my lawn. Thankx for sharing this unique idea.

    Reply

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stacyWelcome! I'm sharing our adventures as we fix up our 1938 cottage. Whether it is big or small, I think everyone should love their home and I don't think it takes a lot of money to make a space your own.
 

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